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Mangrove Forests at Rach Cham – Phu Quoc |
Mangrove forests, coral reefs, and intact seagrasses can significantly mitigate or dissipate tsunami waves up to 15 meters high. A study from Japan indicates that a 100-meter-wide mangrove forest can reduce tide wave heights by 50% and diminish wave energy by 50%. During the earthquake and tsunami on December 26, 2004, at Pulau Sêmplu in Indonesia, located near the earthquake’s epicenter, only 100 people died because the island’s residents had learned to escape to higher ground and areas surrounded by mangrove forests…
Vietnam, with a coastline stretching 3,260 kilometers and situated in a tropical monsoon region, regularly endures severe storms and high tides that cause significant damage each year. Previously, the presence of natural mangrove forests and planted forest strips in estuarine and coastal areas rarely resulted in dike breaches.
However, recent deforestation has increased landslides and flooding, threatening the lives of coastal communities. In 2005, Vietnam faced enormous losses in terms of lives, property, and infrastructure. Many sections of the sea dike suffered breaches or severe erosion. After the damages caused by storms number 2, 6, and 7, local residents noted that in areas with mangrove forests, the sea dikes did not erode.
Mr. Pham Minh Trung, a resident of Cat Hai Island, stated: “I am over 70 years old and have witnessed four major storms. In 1955, there were no dikes in Cat Hai; everything was flooded, which was very dangerous due to poor preventive measures at that time. In 1968, the dikes were inadequate, leading to flooding…; For storm number 2 this year, due to complacency, many people went to see the waves! During storm number 7, the residents were more aware and received regular updates from higher authorities, allowing for better preventive actions. Additionally, this area has organized effective tree planting to mitigate waves, with casuarinas and mangrove trees along the dike or bamboo providing valuable protection against waves and winds. This illustrates the benefits of reforestation efforts.”
In Thanh Hoa Province, storm number 7 caused severe damage, but it also heightened public awareness of the importance of mangrove forests. Ms. Vien Thi Hoa, Chairwoman of the Thanh Hoa Red Cross Society, said: “After storm number 7, we had the opportunity to visit several provinces involved in a mangrove reforestation project sponsored by the Danish Red Cross and the Japanese Red Cross. Witnessing broken dikes and flooded houses, and comparing them to intact dikes protected by mangrove forests or thorny bamboo, it was easy to see: where there are mangrove forests, the destructive power of sea waves is diminished. Mangrove forests are a green belt that plays a crucial role in disaster prevention and damage reduction.”
Professor-Dr. Phan Nguyen Hong, an expert in mangrove forests, stated: “Mangrove forests are vital for protecting dikes against coastal erosion. Areas without mangrove forests are more susceptible to destruction during storms. Countries with mangrove forests are very supportive of those without them, such as Japan and the Netherlands. Some Northern European countries want Vietnam to develop mangrove forests to protect its people and have invested significantly in forest restoration. However, some localities still prioritize deforestation for shrimp farming, focusing on short-term gains without considering long-term consequences. The aftermath of storms number 7 and 6 serves as a valuable lesson for us.”
It is well-known that following the tsunami and earthquake in South Asia at the end of last year, many scientific workshops on natural disasters were held, emphasizing the importance of mangrove forests in disaster prevention and mitigation. The immediate lesson from the human and property losses in Thailand—where the focus on tourism development overshadowed the risks of natural disasters—has not been enough, as some localities continue to engage in deforestation for aquaculture.
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Newly Planted Mangrove Trees Restoring the Mangrove Forest at Dam Nai |
Professor Dr. Truong Quang Hoc, Director of the National University of Hanoi’s Environmental Resource Research Center, confirmed that it is a matter of weighing benefits against harms. He stated: “We are deeply saddened that many areas of mangrove forests across the country, from North to South, are being destroyed for shrimp farming. While shrimp farming may yield significant profits in the early years compared to agriculture, it is only sustainable for a few years.
In reality, all these areas eventually degrade, leading to economic losses and severe ecological damage, with some areas completely lost. When the environment deteriorates and land becomes polluted, recovery becomes very challenging. Especially when an ecosystem is destroyed, mangrove forests may recover faster, but it takes decades. Therefore, we need to assess the value of ecosystems comprehensively, including their intangible values. If we prioritize short-term benefits and address issues improperly, we will face unquantifiable and long-lasting consequences.”
